MARLBROOK Gardens raised £9,004.87 for charities in our 10th year of opening the gardens for the National Gardens Scheme (NGS), taking our total to more than £51,000.

Fromour fouropendays, private viewings and donations we raised £8,397.43 for the NGS charities and £303.72 each for the Basement Project and Christ Church Catshill Restoration fund from tea and cake sales.

Our thanks to all the volunteers who helped at the gardens on the day, Nan Aide and all who helped her with the teas at St Lukes church hall, Bromsgrove Council for the use of the Recreation ground car park, Barclays Bank for their match funding, Tesco and Duncombes for their support in 2013.

Our particular thanks to all our visitors who came in their numbers and gave so generously over the 10 yearswe have been opening our gardens.

Marlbrook Gardens as a group will not be opening next year, but Oak Tree House andRoundHill Garden will once again open in 2014, but as individual gardens. Full details and opening dates can be found on the NGS website at ngs.org.uk from early 2014. Janet and John Morgan, of Saranacris, have decided to take a well deserved rest and will not be opening their garden next year.

Many thanks again.

Janet and John Morgan, of Saranacris; Di and Dave Morgan, of Oak Tree House; Lynn and Alan Nokes, of Round Hill Garden, Braces Lane and New Birmingham Road